Visiting Lehman College bolstered a modest halftime lead with a punishing second half, defeating the College of Staten Island in women’s basketball CUNYAC action, 87-63, at the Sports & Recreation Center earlier this evening.  The win lifted the Lightning to 11-8 overall and 5-5 in CUNYAC play, while the Dolphins dipped to 5-12, 3-5, respectively.
Lehman led nearly from start to finish, surrendering the lead just four times in the first half.  The first half stayed competitive, however, as both teams struggled in the field, combining for just 26-for-78 first half shots.  Still, Lehman raced to a 10-2 edge to open the first five minutes of the game on a run powered by three-point play by Amanda De La Cruz, part of her game-high 27 points.  Lehman opened up a 17-8 lead at 11:37 before an 8-0 CSI run, ending with an three-pointer by Allie Shanahan cut the lead to one, 17-16.  Later, a Nicole Quattrocchi three made it 22-21 in CSI’s favor, but the Lightning outlasted the Dolphins in the first half, ending on an 11-2 run to take a 39-31 lead into the lockers.
From there, the game swayed in Lehman’s favor and the visitors never looked back.  A 13-6 run over the first five minutes started the barrage, and after CSI stayed shot-for-shot over the next seven minutes, the Lightning posted a 17-8 run over the next five minutes to take a commanding 80-57 edge with 3:41 left.
Lehman’s biggest lead was at 2:26, when a Jaleesa Gordon layup made it 85-57.  Lehman out-muscled CSI in the paint, earning a 30-14 advantage for the game.
Louvinia Hayes finished with 17 markers while Gordon ended with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  taneifa Taylor ended with 8 points but a game high 15 rebounds.  CSI was led by Olivia Tierno’s 19 points to go with five rebounds, while Shanahan poured in 17 points.  CSI was led in the rebounding column with Katelyn Hepworth’s 13.
CSI will return to action on Saturday, January 29, when they host Hunter College at 3:30pm at the Sports & Recreation Center.